Ukrainian FM seeks further war support in Berlin

Visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed in Berlin for further support for his country's fight against Russian forces, with international attention currently focussed on the situation in the Middle East, reported dpa.

"Believe in us, support our fight. And our victory will also be your victory," Kuleba said on Friday during a morning appearance on ZDF television.

At the same time, he stressed that although media attention on the Russian invasion of Ukraine had declined, political support from partners in the West remained high.

The West continues to prioritize aid for Ukraine alongside solidarity with Israel, Kuleba said.

He thanked Germany for the IRIS-T air defence systems supplied to protect Ukrainian cities and expressed hopes that Berlin would also deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev.

Ukraine is prepared to comply with demands that the weapons are not used outside its borders, Kuleba said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz decided in early October not to supply Taurus missiles for the time being due to the risk of Germany being drawn directly into the war.

The Taurus has a range of 500 kilometres and could potentially allow Ukraine to target a number of Russian cities.

In the ZDF interview, Kuleba also denied that secret negotiations to end the conflict were underway between Moscow and Kiev.

Referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "peace formula," he reiterated calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from his country before there could be any such talks.

Moscow's continued deployment of forces to fight in Ukraine did not demonstrate any willingness to negotiate, Kuleba said.

As well as the withdrawal of Russian troops, Zelensky's demands include the exchange of all prisoners and a war crimes tribunal.